SAHM needs tips for first interview

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And don't forget to bring a note pad to take notes. I'm in a detail oriented profession and not bringing that would immediately disqualify you.

Yeah, this is very odd. I've never brought a notepad to an interview ever. The only person writing should be the person asking the questions.

Why is this bad advice?

If someone asked me a question that sparked a comment or another question, I wrote it down, as there's usually time at the end of the interview for more questions or comments from the candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And don't forget to bring a note pad to take notes. I'm in a detail oriented profession and not bringing that would immediately disqualify you.

Yeah, this is very odd. I've never brought a notepad to an interview ever. The only person writing should be the person asking the questions.

Why is this bad advice?

If someone asked me a question that sparked a comment or another question, I wrote it down, as there's usually time at the end of the interview for more questions or comments from the candidate.

I'd disqualify you as well. Not having a way to take notes is a big no-no for me. And I expect that you will have written down questions for me as well. I view an interview as a way to check out one another. It's not one-sided.

[Anonymous]

I have always taken notes during interviews, something is always said that I want to remember. I'd be concerned about a candidate who asks me questions and doesn't jot any notes.

[Anonymous]

Just went through an interview after 5+ years SAHM.

A few more tips to add to the ones above:

Write out a list of tangible examples of your skills and experience. Projects completed, outcomes achieved, specific deliverables. Find ways to quantify these accomplishments, such as "increased membership by 25%" or "website viewed by 10,000 individuals per month", or "completed project on time and within budget", or "researched and analyzed policy for briefing at industry meeting attended by 200 leaders".

You may be asked about skills or experiences that you do not have. Be honest, and then provide specific real life examples of how you approached learning new information and expanding your skills and experiences in past jobs.

Refresh your wardrobe. Wear something that fits well, is current, and appropriate to the job. Preferably a suit in almost all situations.

Write out your questions for them, and your responses to their potential questions, and practice these with a trusted colleague or friend.

Best of luck to you!
P.S. (I got the first job I applied to, so don't be discouraged by some of what you read here. There are employers who value experience, and are open to hiring qualified and well prepared candidates who happened to take a break to be a stay at home parent.)

[Anonymous]

" (I got the first job I applied to, so don't be discouraged by some of what you read here. There are employers who value experience, and are open to hiring qualified and well prepared candidates who happened to take a break to be a stay at home parent.) "

+ 1

You will read a lot of "you will never get a job because you took time off" or "how dare you ask for a market salary when there are other workers who never took time off" so just want to add to what the PP said. I was a SAHM for eight years and got the first job I applied for when I decided to return to work. Love the job and it couldn't have worked out any better. Oh, and I didn't take a salary cut either. It can be done; ignore those who say it can't. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't talk about your kids.

I agree BUT your employment gap will come up as a question. I was a SAHM for a couple of years and this came up in interviews for me. I briefly explained that I SAH and then moved on. I suppose you could avoid mentioning kids with a nebulous "family" or "personal" explanation but I think they will see through that anyway, or worse think that you have some major personal problem that makes you unreliable. So I would just mention family/kids as an explanation for the gap, and then move on.

Yes this. Advice to not mention kids is insane, you will need to explain the gap.

Good luck,

Another former SAH that returned to work

I'm a supervisor who has hired several SAHM's, and I think it's fine to mention that you have children to explain a gap in employment, in a general way. Something like "I took several years off to handle responsibilities at home, or while my children were young. Now I'm ready to return to work."

In addition, if you are asked why you're returning to the workforce, don't even hint that you wish you could continue to stay home but have financial concerns. Don't mention divorce. Say something like "My family situation has changed, and I no longer need to be home full time. I have the time and energy to devote to my career, and I'm looking forward to new challenges.

It's also not fine to keep bringing up kids in other contexts. E.g. if I ask you to mention an accomplishment, or a time when you had to handle a problem, or a time when you experienced a challenging situation with teamwork, do not tell me about your baby's first steps, or toilet training, or working with your child's psychiatrist to find the right medication. Spend some time thinking about how you'd answer these questions, because if you try and wing it you'll likely think of kid related things first.

Finally, don't ask about benefits such as time off or flexibility. Ask those questions after you have a written offer, not a second earlier.